Skip to content
1 Chronicles 24

1 Chronicles24

New King James Version

Study

1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

2 And Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests.

3 Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.

4 There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.

5 Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of the house of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.

6 And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.

7 Now the first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,

18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

19 This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the Lord according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

20 And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.

21 Concerning Rehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.

22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.

23 Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

24 Of the sons of Uzziel, Michah; of the sons of Michah, Shamir.

25 The brother of Michah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.

26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi; the son of Jaaziah, Beno.

27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29 Of Kish: the son of Kish, Jerahmeel.

30 Also the sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

31 These also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers did just as their younger brethren.

People in this chapter — 65

All people →
+41 more

Study

1 Chronicles 24

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 24. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The divisions of the priests and Levites. (1-31).

vv1-31

When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.

Cross References

1 Chronicles 24
v2Numbers 3:4thematic

Explicitly details the death of Nadab and Abihu before Aaron without children.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Luke 1:5thematic

Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, belonged to the course of Abijah (the eighth course).

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Leviticus 10:2thematic

The account of Nadab and Abihu dying by fire before the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v32 Samuel 8:17thematic

Corroborates Zadok and Ahimelech son of Abiathar serving together as priests.

Supported by JFB

Relates to the weekly rotation system of the priests entering the temple.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Exodus 6:23thematic

Lists the sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v31 Kings 2:35thematic

The ultimate deposition of Abiathar (Ithamar line) and sole appointment of Zadok.

Supported by JFB

v5Acts 1:26thematic

Parallels the use of lots to distribute offices solemnly and prevent jealousy.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Proverbs 16:33thematic

The principle of casting lots to refer the decision entirely to God's disposal.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Mentions Rehabiah as the son of Eliezer.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Identifies Shelomoth as the son of Izhar among the Levites.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Identifies Jeriah and the other sons of Hebron.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Confirms that Eleazar the son of Mahli died having no sons.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Lists the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

Supported by Matthew Poole